U.S. patent application number 11/827418 was filed with the patent office on 2009-01-15 for apparatus and method for document counting and reporting.
This patent application is currently assigned to Xerox Corporation. Invention is credited to Thomas W. Connors.
Application Number | 20090015877 11/827418 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 40252853 |
Filed Date | 2009-01-15 |
United States Patent
Application |
20090015877 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Connors; Thomas W. |
January 15, 2009 |
Apparatus and method for document counting and reporting
Abstract
A method and a multi-function machine are provided for scanning
and counting documents, generating a summary report thereof, and
dispatching the summary report to at least one destination. The
summary report contains a count of the number of documents scanned
or, additionally or alternatively, the number of document sides
which contain an image; thumbnail representations of at least one
of the scanned pages; and/or metadata. In particular, the
multi-function machine includes a scanning assembly; a counting and
reporting module configured to count documents scanned by the
scanning assembly and to format a report corresponding to the
scanned and counted documents, said counting and reporting module
further configured to process said report for printing by a
printing assembly, for saving to a storage device, and/or for
transmitting to a network device or a facsimile device; and at
least one processor configured to sense, in accordance with user
input, the completion of a document scanning procedure by the
scanning assembly, and after the completion of the document
counting and scanning procedure, to automatically dispatch said
report to recipients in accordance with user selections.
Inventors: |
Connors; Thomas W.;
(Rochester, NY) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Xerox Corporation (CDFS)
445 Broad Hollow Rd.-Suite 420
Melville
NY
11747
US
|
Assignee: |
Xerox Corporation
|
Family ID: |
40252853 |
Appl. No.: |
11/827418 |
Filed: |
July 11, 2007 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
358/443 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G03G 15/5087 20130101;
G03G 2215/00109 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
358/443 |
International
Class: |
H04N 1/40 20060101
H04N001/40 |
Claims
1. A multi-function machine of the type having the capability of
scanning, copying and electronically transmitting documents, the
machine comprising: a scanning assembly; a printing assembly; a
counting and reporting module configured to generate a summary
report corresponding to at least one batch of documents comprising
a document set scanned by the scanning assembly, said counting and
reporting module further configured to dispatch the summary report
to at least one of a printing assembly, a storage device, or a
network device; at least one processor configured to sense the
completion of a batch scanning procedure by the scanning
assembly.
2. The multi-function machine according to claim 1, wherein the
counting and reporting module includes a counting and reporting
software program having a set of programmable instructions
configured for execution by the at least one processor for
generating the summary report corresponding to the documents
scanned and dispatching the summary report to at least one of a
printing assembly, a storage device, or a network device.
3. The multi-function machine according to claim 1, wherein the at
least one processor senses the completion of the batch scanning
procedure by receiving a signal from a document sensor provided in
proximity to a document feed assembly of the multi-function
machine.
4. The multi-function machine according to claim 1, wherein the
counting and reporting module records images of documents in a
document set.
5. The multi-function machine according to claim 4, wherein the
recorded images are processed in thumbnail form.
6. The multi-function machine according to claim 1, wherein the
scanning assembly scans documents in a document set in accordance
with a user-selectable count and record feature.
7. The multi-function machine according to claim 1, wherein the
number of documents scanned in a document set is set forth in the
summary report.
8. The multi-function machine according to claim 1, wherein the
number of images scanned is set forth in the summary report.
9. The multi-function machine according to claim 1, wherein at
least one of the scanned documents is depicted in thumbnail form in
the summary report.
10. The multi-function machine according to claim 1, wherein
metadata is set forth in the summary report.
11. The multi-function machine according to claim 1, wherein the
counting and reporting module comprises means for detecting whether
an image is blank.
12. The multi-function machine according to claim 1, wherein the
multi-function machine is a xerographic multi-function machine.
13. A method for counting and recording a document set, and
generating a summary report corresponding to the document set, the
method comprising: performing a document scanning procedure whereby
a document set is scanned by a scanning assembly of a
multi-function machine of the type having the capability of
performing at least the functions of scanning, copying, and
electronically transmitting documents; counting the number of
documents in the document set scanned during the document scanning
procedure; and generating a summary report corresponding to the
document set; and dispatching the summary report to at least one
destination.
14. The method according to claim 13, wherein the generating step
further comprises setting forth in the summary report the number of
documents in the document set.
15. The method according to claim 13, wherein the generating step
further comprises setting forth in the summary report the number of
images in the document set.
16. The method according to claim 13, wherein the generating step
further comprises depicting in the summary report at least one of
the documents in the document set in thumbnail form.
17. The method according to claim 13, further comprising the steps
of: sensing the completion of a document scanning procedure; and
determining whether subsequent batches to be scanned exist within
the document set; and scanning such subsequent batches in the
document set.
18. The method according to claim 17, wherein the determination of
whether subsequent batches to be scanned exist within the document
set is made by receiving an operator input.
19. The method according to claim 13, wherein the document scanning
procedure is performed in accordance with operator-specified
parameters.
20. A computer-readable medium storing a set of programmable
instructions configured for being executed by at least one
processor for performing a method for counting and recording a
document set, and generating a summary report corresponding to the
document set, the method comprising: performing a document scanning
procedure whereby a document set is scanned by a scanning assembly
of a multi-function machine of the type having the capability of
performing at least the functions of scanning, copying, and
electronically transmitting documents; counting the number of
documents in the document set scanned during the document scanning
procedure; and generating a summary report corresponding to the
document set; and dispatching the summary report to at least one
destination.
21. The computer-readable medium according to claim 20, wherein the
generating step further comprises setting forth in the summary
report the number of documents in the document set.
22. The computer-readable medium according to claim 20, wherein the
generating step further comprises setting forth in the summary
report the number of images in the document set.
23. The computer-readable medium according to claim 20, wherein the
generating step further comprises depicting in the summary report
at least one of the documents in the document set in thumbnail
form.
24. The computer-readable medium according to claim 20, wherein the
method further comprises the steps of: sensing the completion of a
document scanning procedure; and determining whether subsequent
batches to be scanned exist within the document set; and scanning
such subsequent batches in the document set.
25. The computer-readable medium according to claim 24, wherein the
determination of whether subsequent batches to be scanned exist
within the document set is made by receiving an operator input.
26. The computer-readable medium according to claim 20, wherein the
document scanning procedure is performed in accordance with
operator-specified parameters.
27. A report generated by a multi-function machine of the type
having the capability of scanning, copying and electronically
transmitting documents, the report comprising: the number of
documents contained within the document set scanned by the
multi-function machine; and at least one thumbnail depiction of a
document within the document set.
28. The report according to claim 27, further comprising the number
of images contained within the document set scanned by the
multi-function machine.
29. The report according to claim 27, further comprising metadata.
Description
BACKGROUND
[0001] The present disclosure relates to multi-function machines,
and more particularly, to a method and a multi-function machine
having the capability of counting and imaging documents, generating
a summary report thereof, and dispatching the report to at least
one destination.
[0002] "Multi-function" machines have become familiar in offices
and in home computing environments. Whereas, previously, functions
such as copying, printing, and facsimile transmission have been
performed by single dedicated copiers, printers, and facsimiles
respectively, a multi-function machine is typically capable of
providing all such functions and more in a single machine.
Typically, such a multi-function machine includes a single print
engine, which can serve to output copies, prints, or received
facsimiles; as well as a single input scanner which can serve to
record data from original images for use in copying, facsimile
transmission, and retention of input image data to a predetermined
location in a computer memory ("scan-to-file") in the
multi-function machine or in another device.
[0003] Such multi-function machines are typically connected to data
networks, such as a local area network or the Internet, for
exchange of both image data and associated operational
instructions. Their connection to data networks also enables an
operator to scan a document to create an electronic image file and
store the electronic image file on a networked device, such as a
file server. The electronic image file may also be transmitted by
email using a scan-to-email function typically found on such
multi-function machines. The scan-to-email function can also be
used to email a previously stored electronic image file created
using the scan-to-file function. The multi-function machine can be
a xerographic machine which uses xerographic printing techniques to
print a reproduction of a document placed on a platen glass or on
an automated document feeder. The multi-function machine can also
be a personal computer connected to a page scanner and optionally,
connected to at least one of a printer or a communication
network.
[0004] The scan-to-email function generally enables the operator to
use a personal computer connected to the multi-function machine via
a data network or a computer incorporated with the multi-function
machine to execute an email editor, access the electronic image
file from a memory of the multi-function machine and import it to
the email editor for transmitting it as an attachment to an email
message composed using the email editor. The message and the
attachment are transmitted to one or more recipients whose email
address is provided in the header of the graphical user interface
of the email editor and all individuals associated with the one or
more aliases also provided in the header by selecting a "Send"
icon. Once the email with the accompanying electronic image file
attachments are received by the recipients, the email message and
the attachments can be viewed. The attachments can be electronic
image files of scanned documents in a PDF, TIFF, multi-page TIFF,
JPG, or other formats.
[0005] In various organizational settings where multi-function
machines are in use, for example, in a financial office, the
recording of original document counts is desirable and facilitates
monitoring, control and verification of the workflow. Often, such
recording of original document counts is mandated by government
regulations or the organization's internal control policies. For
example, as a safeguard against the theft of bank checks, an
institution will require such checks be counted each time they pass
from team to team.
[0006] The process of manually counting multiple documents, and
recording these counts, is time consuming and error-prone.
Moreover, document counts must be recorded and reviewed and
approved by other parties such as managers and auditors.
[0007] Existing office equipment such as check or paper currency
counters often come bundled with other features which make the
device expensive, do not provide reports summarizing document
counts either in hard copy or electronic form, are often incapable
of handling a wide range of document types, and are incapable of
storing or transmitting count information once collected. What is
needed therefore is a better means of counting, recording, and
communicating document counts to support process control
requirements.
SUMMARY
[0008] It is an aspect of the present disclosure to provide a
method and a multi-function machine having the capability of
counting and recording a set of documents, and generating a summary
report corresponding to the document set. In particular, the
present disclosure provides a multi-function machine of the type
having the capability of performing at least the function of
scanning documents and at least one of printing documents, storing
documents or transmitting documents. The multi-function machine
includes at least a scanning assembly and a document counting and
reporting module comprising a document counting module configured
to scan and count documents, and a reporting module configured to
generate a report corresponding to the scanned and counted
documents; and at least one of a printing assembly, storage device,
or data communications device such as a wired network interface, a
wireless network interface, or a telephone interface each having
the capability of electronically transmitting documents.
[0009] According to the present disclosure, a method and a
multi-function machine having the capability of counting and
recording a set of documents, and generating a summary report
corresponding to the document set is provided for enabling an
operator to load into the scanner assembly of the multi-function
machine a document set to be scanned, counted and reported; to
choose counting and reporting options; to initiate the counting,
scanning and reporting operation; and to cause to be delivered a
report corresponding to the document set.
[0010] The document counting module is configured to count and
image each page of the document set as it passes through the
scanner assembly. The document counting module is further
configured to determine when the completion of the counting and
scanning operation is reached. The completion of the counting and
scanning operation is reached when the document counting module
senses the supply of documents in the scanner assembly is
exhausted, or, additionally, when the multi-function machine
operator affirms through a user interface that all documents in the
document set have been scanned and counted.
[0011] Upon completion of the counting and scanning process, the
reporting module produces a summary report wherein are presented at
least one of the total count of pages in the corresponding document
set; a timestamp; at least one thumbnail image, also known as a
reduced-size image, corresponding to at least one of the pages of
the document set, for example, the first and last pages of the
document set; and metadata relating to the document set. The
summary report is output in at least one of hard copy form through
the printing assembly of the multi-function device; in digital
form, such as a PDF, TIFF, multi-page TIFF, JPG, or other format,
and dispatched to at least one of the memory of the multi-function
machine or to a networked device; or in facsimile form, and
delivered to at least one facsimile machine.
[0012] The present disclosure also provides a document counting
module wherein operator inputs are gathered and validated; pages of
the document scanned, and optionally, analyzed to determine whether
a scanned page image is blank; wherein each document sheet of the
document set is counted and, additionally and optionally, each
non-blank image of the document set is counted; wherein optionally,
after all documents in the scanning assembly have been scanned,
operator input is solicited to determine whether additional
documents are to be processed as part of the current set, and if
there are, the operator is prompted to remove the scanned documents
and load the additional documents and to resume the counting and
scanning process; and to continue scanning and counting until all
documents in the set have been scanned and counted.
[0013] Additionally or alternatively, the document counting module
includes at least one of firmware, software and hardware for
counting documents scanned by the scanning assembly of the
multi-function machine and for storing in the memory of the
multi-function machine scanned images of the documents, in at least
one of full-size or reduced size form.
[0014] Also disclosed is a summary reporting module which
consolidates the data collected in the document counting module;
formats and presents the consolidated data in a form which includes
at least one of a timestamp, a total document count and optionally
a total image count, a device identification, at least one
thumbnail image of a document contained within the document set,
and a list of recipient or destinations to where the report is
delivered.
[0015] The method of counting and recording a set of documents, and
generating a summary report corresponding to the document is
disclosed which includes performing a document scanning procedure
whereby documents are scanned by a scanning assembly of a
multi-function machine of the type having the capability of
performing at least the functions of scanning, copying, and
electronically transmitting documents; counting the scanned
documents, generating a summary report corresponding to the scanned
documents; and at least one of printing the summary report using a
printing assembly of the multi-function machine or delivering the
report in electronic form. Also disclosed is a method which
additionally includes the steps of receiving user input, and/or of
counting the number of document sides containing an image.
[0016] The present disclosure also provides a computer-readable
medium storing a set of programmable instructions configured for
being executed by at least one processor for performing a method of
counting and recording a set of documents, and generating a summary
report corresponding to the document which includes performing a
document scanning procedure whereby documents are scanned by a
scanning assembly of a multi-function machine of the type having
the capability of performing at least the functions of scanning,
copying, and electronically transmitting documents; counting the
scanned documents, generating a summary report corresponding to the
scanned documents; and at least one of printing the summary report
using a printing assembly of the multi-function machine or
delivering the report in electronic form.
[0017] Additionally, the present disclosure provides a report
generated by a multi-function machine of the type having the
capability of scanning, copying and electronically transmitting
documents. The report includes a total document count and
optionally a total image count, and at least one of a timestamp, a
device identification, a thumbnail image or reduced-size depiction
of a document contained within the document set, and a list of
recipient or destinations to where the report was dispatched.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0018] Various embodiments of the present disclosure will be
described herein below with reference to the figures wherein:
[0019] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a system having a
multi-function machine for counting and scanning a document set,
and generating a document summary report corresponding to the
document set in accordance with the present disclosure;
[0020] FIG. 2A is a flow diagram illustrating a method for counting
documents in accordance with the present disclosure;
[0021] FIG. 2B is a flow diagram illustrating a method for
reporting counted documents in accordance with the present
disclosure;
[0022] FIG. 3 illustrates an exemplary user interface for
specifying document counting and reporting parameters in accordance
with the present disclosure;
[0023] FIG. 4A illustrates an exemplary user interface window
displaying the document counting status in accordance with the
present disclosure;
[0024] FIG. 4B illustrates an exemplary user interface soliciting
operator input in accordance with the present disclosure;
[0025] FIG. 4C illustrates an exemplary user interface instructing
the operator in accordance with the present disclosure;
[0026] FIG. 5 illustrates an exemplary user interface window
presenting summary information relating to a set of documents in
accordance with the present disclosure; and
[0027] FIG. 6 is a view of a document summary report corresponding
to the scanned documents generated in accordance with the present
disclosure.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0028] The present disclosure provides a method and a
multi-function machine having the capability of scanning and
counting documents and generating a summary report corresponding to
the counted and scanned documents. The report is printed by the
multi-function machine, or alternatively or additionally,
transmitted to a networked device, or saved to a storage
device.
[0029] As further described below with reference to the Figures,
the multi-function machine is of the type having the capability of
counting and scanning documents. The scanned documents, and summary
reports thereof, can be printed by the multi-function machine,
electronically dispatched by email (for example, by SMTP protocol),
transmitted to a network device (for example, by FTP, HTTP, NFS, or
SMB protocols), and/or transmitted by facsimile. The multi-function
machine can be a xerographic multi-function machine.
[0030] The multi-function machine according to the present
disclosure includes a scanning, counting and reporting software
program having a set of programmable instructions. The
multi-function machine further includes at least one processor for
executing the set of programmable instructions of the scanning,
counting and reporting software program for performing the
functions of scanning and counting documents and generating a
summary report corresponding to scanned documents in accordance
with the present disclosure. After the documents have been scanned
and counted, the summary report is generated and dispatched to at
least one specified destination such as the printer assembly of the
multi-function device, a network device, or a storage unit.
[0031] The scanning, counting and reporting software program can be
packaged and distributed as a software package for downloading to
the multi-function machine where the set of programmable
instructions are stored within at least one computer-readable
medium, such as a CD-ROM, diskette, etc. The scanning, counting and
reporting software program can also be downloaded to the
multi-function machine through a network connection connecting the
multi-function machine to a remote computer station, such as a
remote server, storing the scanning, counting and reporting
software program.
[0032] In particular, the present disclosure provides a
multi-function machine of the type having the capability of
scanning, copying and electronically transmitting documents. The
multi-function machine includes a scanning assembly; a printing
assembly; a document counting and reporting module configured to
scan and count a document set and generate a summary report
corresponding to the scanned and counted document set; and
optionally or additionally a storage device and/or a data
communication interface. The document counting and reporting module
is further configured to format the summary report for printing by
the printing assembly, for delivery to a network device, and/or
storing on a storage device. The multi-function machine further
includes at least one processor configured to sense when the supply
of documents in the scanner assembly is exhausted, or,
additionally, when the multi-function machine operator affirms
through a user interface that all documents in the document set
have been scanned and counted, and to automatically actuate the
report generating operation.
[0033] Additionally or alternatively, the document counting and
reporting module includes at least one of firmware, software and
hardware for generating the summary report corresponding to the
documents counted and scanned by the scanning assembly of the
multi-function machine and for delivering the report to the at
least one desired destination. The documents can be counted and
scanned by the scanning assembly using an operator-selectable
"Count and Report" feature of the multi-function machine. Following
the document counting procedure, the summary report corresponding
to the scanned and counted documents can be delivered to a network
device and/or saved in one of a plurality of formats, such as PDF,
TIFF, multi-page TIFF, JPG, or other formats.
[0034] The method in accordance with the present disclosure for
scanning and counting documents and generating a summary report
corresponding to the counted and scanned documents includes
performing a document scanning procedure whereby documents are
scanned and counted by a scanning assembly of a multi-function
machine of the type having the capability of performing at least
the functions of scanning documents; generating a summary report
corresponding to the counted and scanned documents following the
document scanning procedure; and formatting and delivering the
generated report to at least one of the printing assembly of the
multi-function machine for printing, a network device, or a storage
unit. It is contemplated that the steps of the method in accordance
with the present disclosure can be performed in a different
ordering than the ordering provided herein.
[0035] With reference to FIG. 1, there is shown a block diagram of
a system having a multi-function machine for scanning and counting
documents and generating a summary report corresponding to the
counted and scanned documents in accordance with the present
disclosure. The multi-function machine is of the type having the
capability of scanning documents, and of at least one of the
abilities of printing, transmitting or storing documents.
[0036] In FIG. 1, the multi-function machine is designated
generally by reference numeral 10. The documents are scanned by a
scanning assembly 18 of the multi-function machine 10 during a
document counting and scanning procedure. The summary reports can
be printed by a printing assembly 20, transmitted via communication
circuitry 24, and/or stored on storage device 30 of the
multi-function machine 10 by the reporting procedure.
[0037] In accordance with the present disclosure, the
multi-function machine 10 further includes a document counting and
reporting module 12 having at least one of software, firmware and
hardware for scanning and counting documents and generating a
summary report corresponding to the counted and scanned documents.
In one embodiment, the document counting and reporting module 12
includes a counting module 14 and a reporting module 16. Counting
module 14 includes a software program having a set of programmable
instructions configured for execution by at least one processor 22
of the multi-function machine 10 for scanning and counting
documents in a document set. Report generation module 16 includes a
software program having a set of programmable instructions
configured for execution by at least one processor 22 of the
multi-function machine 10 for consolidating the data collected
during the scanning and counting operation and generating a summary
report corresponding to the documents scanned during the document
counting and scanning procedure by the scanning assembly 18 of the
multi-function machine 10 and formatting the report for delivery by
at least one of printing by the printing assembly 20 of the
multi-function machine 10; transmitting the report to a remote
server 34 or computer 36 operatively connected to the
multi-function machine by a data communication network 32; and/or
formatting and storing the report on a storage device 30.
[0038] The summary report is generated following the completion of
the document scanning procedure. Accordingly, the reporting module
16 is configured to generate the summary report after completion of
the document counting and scanning procedure.
[0039] With reference to FIGS. 2A, 2B, and 3, an embodiment of the
counting module 14 is configured to display a feature selection
user interface 300 on a display 26 whereby parameters relating to
the counting and reporting operation are specified by the operator
using input devices 28, for example, the summary report
destination(s), the manner in which thumbnail representations of
the scanned pages are presented in the summary report, whether the
number of documents in the document set to be scanned and counted
exceeds the capacity of the scanning assembly 18 thereby requiring
that the scanning and counting operation be performed on a
plurality of consecutive subsets (also referred to as multiple
batches), and whether to scan and count each document, or to count
images whereby the presence of an image on a document side is
automatically sensed and the number of non-blank document sides are
tallied. The operator then initiates scanning of the documents by,
for example, pressing a "Start" key.
[0040] In response, the at least one processor 22 causes an in
process user interface 400 illustrated in FIG. 4a to be displayed
on display 26, and in the step 210, the at least one processor 22
communicates to scanning assembly 18 causing the front of a
document to be scanned.
[0041] If the operator chose to count images, the scanned image is
examined to determine if it is non-blank in the step 216, and if
the scanned image is non-blank, the image counter is incremented in
the step 218. In an embodiment, the at least one processor causes
the in process user interface 400 to display the current value of
the image counter. In the step 220 the at least one processor 22
communicates to scanning assembly 18 causing the back of a document
to be scanned. The scanned image of the document back is examined
to determine if it is non-blank in the step 222, and if the scanned
image of the document back is non-blank, the image counter is
incremented in the step 224. Other arrangements are contemplated
within the context of the present disclosure, such as a scanning
assembly 18 capable of concurrently scanning the front and back of
a document in a single operation.
[0042] In the step 212 the document counter is incremented. In an
embodiment, the at least one processor causes the in process user
interface 400 to display the current value of the document
counter.
[0043] In the step 214, the at least one processor 22 communicates
with scanning assembly 18 to ascertain whether all documents in the
current batch have been scanned by receiving a signal from a
document sensor provided in proximity to a scanning assembly 18 of
the multi-function machine 10. The sensor senses the presence of a
document inserted within the scanning assembly 18. When the sensor
does not sense a document following actuation of a document
scanning procedure, it transmits a signal to the at least one
processor 22 informing the at least one processor 22 that no
additional documents to be scanned are present in the scanning
assembly 18.
[0044] If additional documents remain in the scanning assembly 18,
a subsequent iteration proceeding from the step 210 commences, and
processing continues in accordance with the present disclosure
until all documents in the scanning assembly 18 have been scanned.
When all documents in the scanning assembly 18 have been scanned
the step 226 is performed to determine whether the operator
previously indicated that multiple batches are to be scanned. If
multiple batches are to be scanned, the at least one processor
causes a last batch user interface 440 as shown in FIG. 4b to be
displayed on display 26 enabling the operator to indicate, using
input devices 28, whether another batch of the current document set
is to be scanned. If a another batch is to be scanned, the at least
one processor causes a next batch user interface 460 as shown in
FIG. 4c to be displayed on display 26 which requests the operator
to remove the current batch of documents from the scanning assembly
18 and to load the scanning assembly with the next batch of
documents. The operator resumes scanning by, for example, pressing
a "Start" key. In response, the at least one processor 22 causes an
in process user interface 400 illustrated to again be displayed on
display 26, and processing continues from the step 210 in
accordance with the present disclosure.
[0045] The completion of the scanning and counting process is
reached when all documents in the scanning assembly 18 have been
scanned and the operator previously indicated that a single batch
was to be scanned, or alternatively, when all documents in the
scanning assembly 18 have been scanned and the operator previously
indicated that multiple batches were to be scanned and the operator
subsequently indicates that no further batches are to be
scanned.
[0046] An embodiment of the reporting module 16 is configured to
consolidate the data collected in the counting module into a format
adapted for printing on at least one of a printing assembly of the
multi-function unit; for transmitting as an email attachment to at
least one email recipient; for storing on a network device; for
storing on a storage device; and/or for transmitting as a facsimile
to facsimile-capable device. In the step 250 the reporting module
16 arranges the data collected in the counting module 14 in a
summary report format as exemplified by FIG. 6. In the step 252,
the reporting module determines whether the operator requested via
feature selection user interface 300 a hard copy of the summary
report, and if a hard copy of the summary report is requested, one
is printed in the step 254. Additionally or alternatively, the
counting and reporting module 12 can be programmed for enabling the
operator to specify the number of summary report hard copies to be
printed.
[0047] In the step 256, the reporting module determines whether the
operator requested via feature selection user interface 300 an
email of the summary report be transmitted, and if email of the
summary report is requested, in the step 258 a summary report is
transmitted to the desired recipient via email. Additionally or
alternatively, the counting and reporting module 12 can be
programmed for enabling the operator to specify at least one email
address and to transmit a summary report to each address so
specified. In the present disclosure, at least one email
distribution list may be specified whereby, for example, the
operator can specify multiple email recipients by inputting a
reference to the at least one email distribution list as will be
familiar to the skilled practitioner.
[0048] In the step 260, the reporting module determines whether the
operator requested via feature selection user interface 300 a copy
of the summary report be saved, and if a copy of the summary report
is to be saved, in the step 262 a summary report is saved to the
desired location. Additionally or alternatively, the counting and
reporting module 12 can be programmed for enabling the operator to
specify at least location and to save a summary report to each
location so specified. In the present disclosure, at least one
destination may be specified whereby, for example, the operator can
specify the report be saved to a storage device 30, a remote server
34, a remote computer 36, or a database.
[0049] Additionally or alternatively, the counting and reporting
module 12 can be programmed for enabling the operator to change the
number of thumbnails 610 printed on the summary report 600; to
change the thumbnail printing format, for example, to print
thumbnails of all documents scanned, thumbnails of the first and
last documents scanned, as many thumbnails as will fit on one
report page, or thumbnails corresponding to a specified range of
pages; and for having printed on the sheet 600 metadata, such as
the electronic destination(s) of the summary report, the
multi-function machine device ID, file name, date, time, operator
ID and/or account ID as will be familiar to the skilled
practitioner. Other arrangements of the summary report elements are
contemplated within the context of the present disclosure.
[0050] Additionally or alternatively, the counting and reporting
module 12 can be programmed for enabling the operator to specify
the destinations to which a summary report is dispatched, for
example, to the printing assembly 20 of the multi-function device;
to a networked device or file share or uploading via the data
communications device 24, to a storage device 30, or to a facsimile
machine. Other mechanisms for delivery of the summary report are
contemplated within the context of the present disclosure as will
be familiar to one skilled in the art.
[0051] Referring now to FIG. 5, an embodiment of the reporting
module 16 is configured to display a summary user interface 500 on
a display 26 wherein summary information relating to the current
scanning, counting, and reporting operation is presented to the
operator.
[0052] The set of programmable instructions of the module 12 can be
application software stored within a memory, such as RAM and ROM,
of the at least one processor 22 and/or a computer-readable medium,
such as a hard drive, CD-ROM, DVD, 3.5'' diskette, etc., readable
by one or more reading devices of the multi-function machine
10.
[0053] Additionally or alternatively, the counting and reporting
module 12 can include software, firmware and/or hardware for
scanning, counting and reporting documents. This includes enabling
the module 12 to store images of the scanned documents and generate
and manipulate thumbnail depictions thereof and to analyze the
images corresponding to the scanned documents to automatically
detect non-blank document sides. The module 12 then generates a
summary report which corresponds to the set of scanned
documents.
[0054] The at least one processor 22 of the multi-function machine
10 besides being in operable communication with the scanning and
printing assemblies 18, 20, and the display device 26, it is
further in operable communication with one or more input devices
28, such as a keypad and control panel; one or more internal or
external storage devices 30, such as a hard drive or a database;
and communication circuitry 24 for enabling the multi-function
machine 10 to receive and transmit messages from and to one or more
remote servers 34 or computers 36 via a communications network 32,
such as a local area network or the Internet. The one or more
servers 34 are linked to a plurality of computers 36 or terminals
48 as known in the art.
[0055] It will be appreciated that variations of the
above-disclosed and other features and functions, or alternatives
thereof, may be desirably combined into many other different
systems or applications. Various presently unforeseen or
unanticipated alternatives, modifications, variations or
improvements therein may be subsequently made by those skilled in
the art which are also intended to be encompassed by the following
claims. The claims can encompass embodiments in hardware, software,
or a combination thereof.
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